Method and apparatus for applying drywall tape

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint which includes an applicator, or use thereof, for guiding the tape along the joint and provided with a handle structure and a blade portion having slots to guide the tape.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the forming of joints between drywall sheetsand, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for embedding drywalltape in joint compound.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Joints between drywall panels require joint compound to be applied tothe gap between each two panels and this has to be spread and smoothed.Tape is then applied to the joint by hand and is manually pressed downto adhere to the compound using a bladed tool. The exposed face of thetape must then be cleaned. The whole process is very time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of applyingand embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint,comprising guiding the tape through a first slot at a rear end of ahandle structure, guiding said tape through a second slot in an extendedblade portion of said handle structure at the opposite end of saidhandle structure to said one end, guiding said tape through a third slotin said extended portion remote from said handle structure, pressing theguided tape onto the joint compound along the drywall joint withsufficient force to spread the joint compound and simultaneously movingsaid upstanding extended portion along the drywall joint, therebycontinually embedding the tape in the drywall compound along the drywalljoint and spreading the joint compound contacted by the tape.

From another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus forapplying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywalljoint, comprising a handle structure having a first slot at a rear endfor guiding drywall tape under the handle structure and parallelthereto, an extended blade portion extending from said handle at itsopposite end to said rear end, a second slot in said blade portion forpassage of said tape upwards therethrough, a third slot forward of saidsecond slot for passage of said tape downwards therethrough tofacilitate application to a drywall joint with sufficient force appliedto the outer end of said blade portion to embed the tape in the drywalljoint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example,with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of apparatus for applying and embedding drywalltape,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus according to a second embodiment,and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 3.

The same reference numerals will be used in different figures to denotethe same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to figures, the apparatus for applying and embedding drywalltape in joint compound along a drywall joint includes a handle structure2 shaped and constructed to facilitate grasping by a worker's fingers 4.The handle structure 2 has a depending portion 6 having a slot 8 for thepassage therethrough of drywall tape 10.

At the end of handle structure 2 an integral scraper-like blade portion12 is provided. This may be made of metal or a suitable plastic and isprovided with slots 14 and 16 whereby the tape 10 can pass therethrough.Each of the slots 14 and 16 is provided with a small guide protrusion 18to guide the tape 10 in a proper manner through the respective slot.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 the blade portion 12 is of a different shape in that itis longer and has upwardly-upstanding wing portions 20 and 22 andterminates in a point 24. This arrangement is of special utility whenusing the apparatus in corners.

In use the tape 10 is fed from a storage reel 26 which is on the belt 28of a worker (not shown).

The tape 10 is fed through slot 8 in depending portion 6, passesunderneath handle 2 and upwards through slot 14. The tape 10 is then fedover the top of blade portion 12 and down through slot 16 under theextremity of blade portion 12 and, in FIG. 3, under the wing portions 20and 22. The worker then applies joint compound along the joint betweentwo drywall panels. The worker then takes the apparatus shown in FIG. 1or FIG. 3 and presses the tape 10 into the drywall joint usingsufficient force to spread the joint compound and embed the tapetherein. The tape is continually applied, as the tool is moved along thedrywall joint, and is embedded in the joint compound which iscontinually spread. Slot 8 guides the tape 10 and helps to keep the tape10 straight. The worker uses his free hand to hold the tape initially inplace and then moves the tool or applicator carefully down the wall.

Using the tool illustrated in FIG. 3, the flared ends or upstanding wingportions 20 and 22 conveniently fit within a corner to deposit tapecorrectly in the corner.

When not used as a tape applicator, the blade portion 12 of FIG. 1 maybe used as a conventional scraper, being rinsed in water.

The apparatus can also be used to apply fibreglass tape or any othersimilar material.

While the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may beconstructed without departing from the scope of the invention, which isdefined in the following claims.

1. A method of applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint, comprising: (a) guiding the tape through a first slot at a rear end of a handle structure, (b) guiding said tape through a second slot in an extended blade portion of said handle structure at the opposite end of said handle structure to said rear, (c) guiding said tape through a third slot in said extended portion remote from said handle structure, (d) pressing the guided tape onto the joint compound along the drywall joint with sufficient force to spread the joint compound and simultaneously moving said extended portion along the drywall joint, thereby continually embedding the tape in the drywall compound along the drywall joint and spreading the joint compound compacted by the tape.
 2. A method of applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint, comprising: (a) guiding the tape through a first slot at a rear end of a handle structure, (b) guiding said tape through a second slot in an extended blade portion of said handle structure at the opposite end of said handle structure to said rear, (c) guiding said tape through a third slot in said extended portion remote from said handle structure, (d) providing said extended portion with upstanding wing portion remote from said handle structure, (e) pressing the guided tape onto the joint compound along the drywall joint with sufficient force to spread the joint compound and simultaneously moving said extended portion along the drywall joint, thereby continually embedding the tape in the drywall compound along the drywall joint and spreading the joint compound compacted by the tape.
 3. Apparatus for applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint, comprising: (a) a handle structure having a first slot at a rear end for guiding drywall tape under the handle structure and parallel thereto, (b) an extended blade portion extending from said handle structure at its opposite end to said rear end, (c) a second slot in said blade portion for passage of said tape upwards therethrough, (d) a third slot forward of said second slot for passage of said tape downwards therethrough to facilitate application to a drywall joint with sufficient force applied to the outer end of said blade portion to embed the tape in the drywall joint.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said first slot is in a depending portion of said handle structure.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said extended blade portion has upstanding wing portions to facilitate pressing of said tape.
 6. (Cancelled)
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said extended blade portion has upstanding wing portions to facilitate pressing of said tape.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a guide protrusion to facilitate guiding of said tape.
 9. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a guide protrusion to facilitate guiding of said tape.
 10. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a guide protrusion to facilitate guiding of said tape.
 11. A method of applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint, comprising: providing a handle structure having an extended blade portion attached to an end of the handle structure; guiding drywall tape up through a first slot in an extended blade portion of said handle structure; guiding said tape down through a second slot, forward of the first slot in said extended portion; and pressing the tape onto joint compound along a drywall joint with sufficient force to spread the joint compound and simultaneously moving said extended portion along the drywall joint, thereby continually embedding the tape in the joint compound along the drywall joint and spreading the joint compound compacted by the tape.
 12. An apparatus for applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint, comprising: a handle structure having an extended blade portion attached to an end of the handle structure; a first slot in said blade portion for passage of drywall tape upwards therethrough; and a second slot forward of said first slot for passage of said tape downwards therethrough to facilitate application to a drywall joint with sufficient force applied to an outer end of said blade portion to embed the tape in the drywall joint. 